Mango Water Project handover should be in one go, not in phases: Saryu Roy

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Nov 2: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy has emphasized that the handover of the Mango Water Supply Project from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation to the Mango Municipal Corporation (MMC) should be done in one go rather than in phases. He said that a phased handover could lead to confusion, poor accountability and continued suffering for residents who have already been facing irregular water supply for years.

In a detailed statement issued on Sunday, Roy said, “The Mango Water Supply Project has so far been operated by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. Now that it is being transferred to the Mango Municipal Corporation, it is essential to know the exact status of all project components — the intake wells, the water treatment plant and the storage tanks.”

He insisted that before the handover, the department must present a comprehensive report detailing the project’s operational condition, the type and length of pipelines laid in the Mango area and the major technical and functional challenges encountered during operation. He also questioned the department’s maintenance record, stating that many sections of the city frequently face water scarcity despite having an extensive pipeline network.

“The department should clarify which areas receive water regularly and which areas remain deprived. Reports in newspapers show that many localities have long suffered due to erratic water supply,” Roy said. He further asked for a detailed chart showing the capacity of each storage tank, the areas they serve and the daily timing and duration of supply.

Roy also expressed concern over the status of the flow measurement devices installed at the water treatment plant, demanding to know whether they are still functional.

Stressing that the issue directly concerns the people of Mango, he said, “This is not just a matter between the executive engineer and the deputy municipal commissioner. If the project’s flaws are transferred as they are, the inefficiency and poor service will continue.”

He urged the Mango Municipal Corporation to ensure that it obtains complete technical data, maintenance history and operational responsibility from the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department before accepting the project. “If not done carefully,” he warned, “the residents will keep facing the same water supply problems even after the transfer.” (